plunge

Etymology 1

From Middle English plungen, ploungen, Anglo-Norman plungier, from Old French plongier, (Modern French plonger), from unattested Late Latin frequentative *plumbicō (“to throw a leaded line”), from plumbum (“lead”). Compare plumb, plounce.

verb

1. (transitive) To thrust into liquid, or into any penetrable substance; to immerse.
   to plunge the body into water
2. (figurative, transitive) To cast, stab or throw into some thing, state, condition or action.
   to plunge a dagger into the breast
   to plunge a nation into war
   the city was plunged into darkness
   Jon isn’t lying when he tells her she will always be his queen, right before plunging a knife into her. He genuinely swore obedience, and sees himself as a traitor when he commits the deeds. 19 May 2019, Alex McLevy, “The final Game Of Thrones brings a pensive but simple meditation about stories (newbies)”, in The A.V. Club
3. (transitive, obsolete) To baptize by immersion.
4. (intransitive) To dive, leap or rush (into water or some liquid); to submerge oneself.
   he plunged into the river
5. (figurative, intransitive) To fall or rush headlong into some thing, action, state or condition.
   to plunge into debt
   to plunge into controversy
   profits plunge 90%
   Target reported profit plunged 90% in the second quarter, falling far short of expectations, as inflation-weary customers pulled back on spending on nonessential items. 2022-08-17, Chris Isidore, “Target profit plunges 90% as inflation-weary shoppers pull back”, in CNN
6. (intransitive) To pitch or throw oneself headlong or violently forward, as a horse does.
7. (intransitive, slang) To bet heavily and recklessly; to risk large sums in gambling.
8. (intransitive, obsolete) To entangle or embarrass (mostly used in past participle).
9. (intransitive, obsolete) To overwhelm, overpower.

noun

1. The act of plunging or submerging.
2. A dive, leap, rush, or pitch into (into water).
   to take the water with a plunge
   A plunge into the sea
3. (dated) A swimming pool.
4. (figurative) The act of pitching or throwing oneself headlong or violently forward, like an unruly horse.
5. (slang) Heavy and reckless betting in horse racing; hazardous speculation.
6. (obsolete) An immersion in difficulty, embarrassment, or distress; the condition of being surrounded or overwhelmed; a strait; difficulty.

Etymology 2

Back-formation from plunger.

verb

1. (transitive) To remove a blockage by suction.
   to plunge a toilet